As Le Mans Ultimate runs through its early access phases, adding new DLC and features along the way, a unique feature has been added.
Asynchronous co-op. That’s not co-op like you would see in the F1 games where both drivers must be online at the same time, but three-driver events where each participant can complete stints at a time that suits them.
Here’s a closer look at this intriguing sim racing mode.
What is co-op mode in Le Mans Ultimate?
The co-operative (co-op) mode allows sim racers to compete against AI-controlled opponents while swapping between friends asynchronously i.e. each driver does not need to be online at the same time.
Teams can select from a menu of race scenarios in-game, compete in the event, and then a score will be totted up and placed on an online leaderboard.
How many drivers can be in a co-op team?
Three drivers can be in a Le Mans Ultimate co-op team, although a co-op event can be completed by a team of two also.
Do points mean prizes?
Kind of. The most basic goal is to win the race, by beating your AI-controlled opponents. But there is an added incentive of sitting atop an online leaderboard.
The sim will award you team points, based on your result, AI strength overtakes and clean conduct. Once calculated, this will then be added to an online leaderboard for each co-op event to view your relevant success.
Unless, of course, you’re up against the RAFA Esports team of Jernej Simončič and Jesper Pedersen – in which case, expect a beating…
You can see your current score in-game during a race, top right of the HUD.
Interestingly, in the future, there could be a way of entering the Le Mans Virtual Series esports competition via this co-op mode.
“In the future, [this] may be used for qualifying for events, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual or for prizes” said Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood, recently.
How to send and receive co-op invites
If setting up an event for friends, visit the co-op game menu, select an event, select your car and hit the register button.
From there, you will be asked to invite friends. They must have you as Steam friends and registered (and linked) a RaceControl account to Le Mans Ultimate.
If so, you can then invite two people. If you wish, you can then complete your opening stint and then wait for your team-mates to complete the race at their leisure.
If you are invited to a race, and you happen to be in Le Mans Ultimate, you will receive a small notification on the main menu. When within the co-op mode, the event you are invited to compete in has an obvious white border.
Click on it, register for the event and wait for your team-mates’ instructions.
How to swap drivers in Le Mans Ultimate co-op
In order to switch between drivers on a team in the co-op mode, you must visit the pitlane – it cannot be done in a pause menu, for instance.
Once you stop in your box, the pit menu will automatically appear, and at the bottom right of the screen, you will see a ‘Driver Swap’ option. Click on that to save your team’s progress, which will be uploaded to the cloud.
Then, when the next team member hops into the game, they will resume from this point.
So, you must plan driver swaps around pit strategy?
Yes – there’s no point swapping drivers when you aren’t planning on pitting for tyres or fuel, as otherwise you will be sat in the pitlane while the AI continues to race. Which, is much like the real-world World Endurance Championship races.
Unlike WEC, however, there are no minimum driver stint lengths. So, in theory in a two-hour race, one team member could drive 1 hour and 50 minutes, and a second driver just the final 10 minutes.
This is presently a ‘beta’ version of the co-op feature, with minimum driver requirements an aim for the development team to implement hopefully.
Can you set up your own ideal co-op race?
No, that is not possible presently. But, the Studio 397 development will create a ‘menu’ of events with the track, conditions and length pre-selected. These are expected to change over time and have an expiry date.
Think of it like the daily ranked racing schedule, that updates each week – but for the co-op mode. Like the races, you must be connected to a RaceControl (a joint venture between Motorsport Games and Speed Capital) account in order to enter co-op events.
Is DLC required for co-op in Le Mans Ultimate?
Sometimes. There will be events that have cars and tracks in the optional extra 2024-season DLC, but there will be co-op events that avoid the use.
If you see an event that uses premium extra content, you will not be able to enter and you will see a prompt to take you to the Steam store for purchase.
Le Mans Ultimate Co-op mode at a glance
- You cannot create your own customised race, but instead select from a roster of curated events
- A free game addition, released 24th September 2024 in a ‘beta’ form
- Allows for up to three players to form a team and take on AI in races, driving each of their stints separately and at different times
- Points are awarded for finishing position, clean racing and selected AI difficulty level, then place your outfit on an online leaderboard
